Biography of Bishop John Hooper 1495-1555
Around 1495 Bishop John Hooper was born.
Diary of Edward VI. 20 Jul 1550. Houper (age 55) was made bishop of Gloucestre.3
Note 3. The letters patent nominating John Hoper (age 55), S. T. Prof, to the bishopric of Gloucester, dated the 3d July, are printed in Rymer, xv. 240.
In 1552 Anthony Kingston (age 44) was cited before John Hooper, bishop of Gloucester (age 57), on a charge of adultery. At first Kingston refused to appear, and when at length he came, he beat and abused the bishop, who sternly rebuked him, fined him £500, and forced him to do penance. He afterwards owned that Hooper had converted him from his evil life
Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Mar 1554. The xvij day of Marche was deprevyd the bysshope of Harfford and the bysshope of Glosetur (age 59); commyssyonars that dyd depreyffe them my lord chansseler and my lord of Durram, my lord of Londun, my lord of Chechastur, and my lord of sant Asse.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 22 Jan 1555. The xxij day of Januarij was raynyd at my lord chansseler (age 72) plasse [Map] by-syd sant Mare Overes [Map] ser John Hoper (age 60) latt bysshope of Glosetur, doctur C[rome], as the parsun of Wyttyngtun colege, harold Tomson, Rogars parsun or veker of sant Pulkers, and dyvers odur.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 28 Jan 1555. The xxviij day of January was examynyd at sant Mare Overes [Map] bysshope Hoper (age 60), doctor Crom, and Cardmaker, and odur, and Cardmaker recantyd.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29 Jan 1555. The xxix day of January wher raynyd at sant Mare Overes [Map] for herese Hoper (age 60) and Rogers (age 50), and cast to be brentt, and from thens cared to Nugatt [Map].
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 30 Jan 1555. The Sunday before he suffered, he drank to Master Hooper (age 60), being then underneath him, and bade them commend him unto him, and tell him, "There was never little fellow better would stick to a man, than he would stick to him; "presupposing they should both be burned together, although it happened otherwise; for Master Rogers was burnt alone. And thus much briefly concerning the life and such acts of Master Rogers, as I thought worthy noting.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 04 Feb 1555. The iiij day (of) Feybruary the bysshope of London (age 55) went into Nugatt [Map], and odur docturs, to dysgratt [degrade] Hoper (age 60), and Rogers (age 50) sumtyme vycker of sant Polkers.
Note. P. 82. Burning of bishop Hooper. The letter from the queen to lord Chandos directing him to repair to Gloucester and assist at the execution of bishop Hooper, has been published in Miss Wood's Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies, iii. 284.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 04 Feb 1555. The fourth day of February, the year above mentioned, in the chapel in Newgate [Map], the bishop of London (age 55) there sitting with his notary and certain other witnesses, came Alexander Andrew, the gaoler, bringing with him Master Hooper (age 60) and Master Rogers (age 50), being condemned before by the chancellor (age 72); where the said bishop of London (age 55), at the request of the aforesaid Winchester (age 72), proceeded to the degradation of the parties above mentioned, Master Hooper and Master Rogers, after this form and manner: first, he put upon him all the vestures and ornaments belonging to a priest, with all other things to the same order appertaining, as though (being revested) they should solemnly execute their office. Thus they, being apparelled and invested, the bishop beginneth to pluck off, first the uttermost vesture; and so, by degree and order, coming down to the lowest vesture, which they had only in taking Benet and Collet; and so, being stript and deposed, he deprived them of all order, benefit, and privilege belonging to the clergy; and consequently, that being done, pronounced, decreed, and declared the said parties so degraded, to be given personally to the secular power, as the sheriffs being for that year, Master Davy Woodroofe, and Master William Chester; who, receiving first the said Master Rogers at the hands of the bishop, had him away with them, bringing him to the place of execution where he suffered. The witnesses there present were Master Harpsfield, archdeacon of London; Robert Cosin, and Robert Willerton, canons of Paul's; Thomas Mountague, and George How, clerks; Tristram Swadock, and Richard Cloney, the sumner, &c.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 09 Feb 1555. So it was determined, at length, he should still remain in Robert Ingram's house; and the sheriffs, and the sergeants, and other officers did appoint to watch with him that night themselves. His desire was, that he might go to bed that night betimes, saying, that he had many things to remember: and so he did at five of the clock, and slept one sleep soundly, and bestowed the rest of the night in prayer. After he got up in the morning, he desired that no man should be suffered to come into the chamber, that he might he solitary till the hour of execution.
About eight o'clock came Sir John Bridges, Lord Chandos (age 62), with a great band of men, Sir Anthony Kingston (age 47), Sir Edmund Bridges (age 33), and other commissioners appointed to see execution done. At nine o'clock Master Hooper (age 60) was willed to prepare himself to be in a readiness, for the time was at hand. Immediately he was brought down from his chamber by the sheriffs, who were accompanied with bills, glaves, and weapons. When he saw the multitude of weapons, he spake to the sheriffs on this wise "Master Sheriffs," said he, "I am no traitor, neither needed you to have made such a business to bring me to the place where I must suffer; for if ye had willed me, I would have gone alone to the stake, and have troubled none of you all. Afterward, looking upon the multitude of people that were assembled, being by estimation to the number of seven thousand, (for it was market day, and many also came to see his behaviour towards death,) he spake unto those that were about him, saying, "Alas, why be these people assembled and come together? Peradventure they think to hear something of me now, as they have in times past; but, alas! speech is prohibited me. Notwithstanding, the cause of my death is well known unto them. When I was appointed here to be their pastor, I preached unto them true and sincere doctrine; and that, out of the word of God: because I will not now account the same to be heresy and untruth, this kind of death is prepared for me."
So he went forward, led between the two sheriffs (as it were a lamb to the place of slaughter) in a gown of his host's, his hat upon his head, and a staff in his hand to stay himself withal: for the pain of the sciatica, which he had taken in prison, caused him somewhat to halt. All the way being straitly charged not to speak, he could not be perceived once to open his mouth, but beholding the people all the way, which mourned bitterly for him, he would sometimes lift up his eyes towards heaven, and look very cheerfully upon such as he knew: and he was never known, during the time of his being amongst them, to look with so cheerful and rnddy a countenance as he did at that present. When he came to the place appointed where he should die, smilingly he beheld the stake and preparation made for him, which was near unto the great elm tree, over against the college of priests, where he was wont to preach. The place round about the houses and the boughs of the tree were replenished with people; and in the chamber over the college-gate stood the priests of the college.
Then kneeled he down (forasmuch as he could not be suffered to speak unto the people) to prayer, and beckoned six or seven times unto one whom he knew well, to hear the said prayer, to make report thereof in time to come, (pouring tears upon his shoulders and in his bosom,) who gave attentive ears unto the same; the which prayer he made upon the whole creed, wherein he continued the space of half an hour. Now, after he was somewhat entered into his prayer, a box was brought and laid before him upon a stool, with his pardon (or at least-wise it was feigned to be his pardon) from the queen, if he would turn. At the sight whereof he cried, "If you love my soul, away with it! if you love my soul, away with it!" The box being taken away, the Lord Chandos said, "Seeing there is no remedy, despatch him quickly." Master Hooper said, "Good my Lord, I trust your Lordship will give me leave to make an end of my prayers."
continues
Within a space after, a few dry faggots were brought, and a new fire kindled with faggots, (for there were no more reeds,) and that burned at the nether parts, but had small power above, because of the wind, saving that it did burn his hair, and scorch his skin a little. In the time of which fire, even as at the first flame, he prayed, saying mildly and not very loud, (but as one without pains,) "O Jesus, the Son of David, have mercy upon me, and receive my soul!" After the second was spent. he did wipe both his eyes with his hands, and beholding the people, he said with an indifferent loud voice, "For God's love, good people, let me have more fire!"
And all this while his nether parts did burn; for the faggots were so few, that the flame did not burn strongly at his upper parts.
The third fire was kindled within a while after, which was more extreme than the other two: and then the bladders of gunpowder brake, which did him small good, they were so placed, and the wind had such power. In the which fire he prayed with somewhat a loud voice. "Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me; Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" And these were the last words he was heard to utter. But when he was black in the mouth, and his tongue swollen, that he could not speak, yet his lips went till they were shrunk to the gums: and he knocked his breasts with his hands, until one of his arms fell off, and then knocked still with the other, what time the fat, water, and blood, dropped out at his fingers' ends, until by renewing of the fire his strength was gone, and his hand did cleave fast, in knocking, to the iron upon his breast. So immediately, bowing forwards, he yielded up his spirit.
Thus was he three quarters of an hour or more in the fire. Even as a lamb, patiently he abode the extremity thereof, neither moving forwards, backwards, nor to any side: but, having his nether parts burned, and his bowels fallen out, he died as quietly as a child in his bed. And he now reigneth as a blessed martyr, in the joys of heaven prepared for the faithful in Christ, before the foundations of the world: for whose constancy all Christians are bound to praise God.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Winchester, after long conference with Master Hooper four or five days together, when he at length perceived that neither he could do that good which he thought to him, nor that he would take any good at his hand, according to Master Arundel's request, he sent home his servant again; right well commending his learning and wit, but yet bearing in his breast a grudging stomach against Master Hooper still.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. It followed not long after this, as malice is always working mischief, that intelligence was given to Master Hooper to provide for himself, for danger that was working against him. Whereupon Master Hooper, leaving Master Arundel's house, and borrowing a horse of a certain friend, (whose life he had saved a little before from the gallows,) took his journey to the sea-side to go to France, sending back the horse again by one, who indeed did not deliver him to the owner. Master Hooper being at Paris, tarried there not long, but in short time returned into England again, and was retained of Master Sentlow, till the time that he was again molested and laid for; whereby he was compelled, under the pretence of being captain of a ship going to Ireland, to take the seas. And so escaped he (although not without extreme peril of drowning) through France, to the higher parts of Germany; where he, entering acquaintance with the learned men, was of them friendly and lovingly entertained, both at Basil, and especially at Zurich, of Master Bullinger, being his singular friend. There also he married his wife, who was a Burgonian, and applied very studiously to the Hebrew tongue.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Thus Master Hooper, growing more and more, by God's grace, in ripeness of spiritual understanding, and showing withal some sparkles of his fervent spirit, being then about the beginning of the six articles, in the time of King Henry the Eighth, fell eftsoons into displeasure and hatred of certain rabbins in Oxford, who, by and by, began to stir coals against him; whereby, and especially by the procurement of Dr. Smith, he was compelled to void the university; and so, removing from thence, was retained in the house of Sir Thomas Arundel, and there was his steward, till the time that Sir Thomas Arundel, having intelligence of his opinions and religion, which he in no case did favour, and yet exccedingly favouring the person and conditions of the man, found the means to send him in a message to the bishop of Winchester, writing his letter privily to the bishop, by conference of learning to do some good upon him; but in any case requiring him to send home his servant to him again.
Letters. Queen Mary I of England and Ireland to Lord Chandos
Whereas John Hooper, who of late was called Bishop of Worcester and Gloucester, is, by due order of the laws ecclesiastic, condemned and judged for a most obstinate, false, detestable heretic, and committed to our secular power, to be burned accord- ing to the wholesome and good laws of our realm in that case provided: forasmuch as in those cities and the diocese thereof, ho hath in times past preached and taught most pestilent heresies and doctrine to our subjects there. We have, therefore, given order, that the said Hodper, who yet persisteth obstinate, and hath refused mercy, when it was graciously offered, shall be put to execution in the said city of Gloucester, for the example and terror of others, such as he hath there seduced and mistaught, and because he hath done most harm there; and will that you, calling unto you some of reputation, dwelling in the shire, (such as you think best) shall repair unto our said city, and be at the said execution, assisting our mayor and sheriffs of the same city, in this behalf.
And forasmuch also as the said Hooper is, as heretics be, a vain-glorious person, and delighteth in his tongue, and, having liberty, may use his said tongue to persuade such as he hath seduced to pei^ sist in the miserable opinion that he hath sown amongst them; our pleasure is, therefore, and we require you to take order that the said Hooper be, neither at the time of his execution nor in going to the place thereof, suffered to speak at large, but thither to be led, quietly and in silence, for eschewing of further infection, and such inconvenience as may otherwise ensue in this part. Whereof fail you not, as you tender our pleasure.
Endorsed — "A true copy of an old paper in my custody, which seems to be the first draught of a letter from the queen to the lord Chandos, &c., who went to see execution done on Bishop Hooper. Thom. Tanner."
[COTTON. MS., CLEOPATRA, E. T., FOL. 380.]
Note. The character of "bloody Queen Mary," as she has so kog heen designated, has been the subject of much dispute and mispresentation. Protestant zeal in the reign of Elizabeth heaped upon her every epithet of opprobrium, and represented her as alike hideous in mind and person; while the latitudinarian charity of modem days, anxious to do justice to one so greatly wronged, has represented her as all that is mild and noble, generous and highminded. The truth seems to lie between the two. Mary's natural disposition was firm but amiable, and the sorrows of her early life had exercised a softening influence over it; but such was the fearful influence of the £uth which she professed, and to which she conscientiously adhered, that it urged her on to deeds of cruelty and blood, from which a woman's heart might well have shrunk. During her brief reign, 277 persons, including five bishops, suffered martyrdom, and nearly as many died in prison through hunger and other cruelties.a
The Harleian MS., 424, contains a doggerel poem in 33 stanzas, addressed by a Protestant to Queen Mary, on the 1st of October 1553, commencing, "O lovesome rose, most redolent," and containing in the first few stanzas some complimentary allusions, but soon diverging to the main business of the poem, which is an earnest remonstrance against the restoration of popish idolatry.
O noble queen, take heed, take heed,
Beware your own intent;
Look ere you leap, then shall you speed,
For haste hute maketh many shent (lost).
What great presumption doth appear,
Thus, in a week or twain,
To work more shuame than in 7 year
Can be redressed again.
That miserable masking mass,
Which all good men doth hate,
Is now by you brought in again,
The root of all debate.
Poor ministers that loveth God's word,
They feel this bitter rod;
Woo are robbed from house and goods,
As though there were no God.
Hath God thus high you,
And set you in a crown!
That you should prison and deface
His flock that maketh moan !
The Lord, who doth his dock defend,
As the apple of an eye,
Of these will quickly make an end—
And banish cruelty.
Therefore, my counsel if you take,
And think thereof no scorn,
You shall find it the best counsel,
You had since you were born.
These miserable rhymes contain the exposition of the sentiments of the greater part of Mary's subjects; but which, in her zeal, she little regarded.
The following (preceding; this not is moved below the letter) is the mandate for the execution of the Protestant Bishop Hooper, which took place on the second of February 1 554.
Note a. Harleian Miseellany, Yol. i. p. 212.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. John Hooper, student and graduate in the university of Oxford, after the study of the sciences, wherein he had abundantly profited and proceeded, through God's secret vocation was stirred with fervent desire to the love and knowledge of the Scriptures: in the reading and searching whereof, as there lacked in him no diligence joined with earnest prayer; so neither wanted unto him the grace of the Holy Ghost to satisfy his desire, and to open unto him the light of true divinity.